The Keynote Speaker will be Professor Edward A. Alpers from the University of California,
Los Angeles (USA)

Over the course of 2013, the United Nations intends to adopt a series of measures that acknowledge the importance of eradicating racial discrimination worldwide. These include: the Decade for People of African Descent (2013–22) Plan of Action; commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (http://www.un.org/en/ga/durbanmeeting2011/pdf/DDPA_full_text.pdf) by the United Nations on 22 September 2011; and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/cerd.htm).
In honour of these initiatives, a multi-disciplinary conference “People of African Descent: Recognition, Empowerment and Equity” will be held on May 12-14, 2014, at Brock University in St Catharines, Canada. It will bring together scholars, policymakers and various experts not only to address this topic but also to proffer new research approaches and methodologies. The dispersal of people of African descent throughout the Americas, Asia and within Africa itself highlights the importance of such a study. Promoting recognition, justice, development and the human rights of people of African descent and appreciating their cultural contributions, moreover, will strengthen efforts to achieve greater equality and democracy at a global level.

Papers on the following general themes are currently being accepted:
• Slavery, abolition, emancipation
• Colonialism and its legacy
• Racism and discrimination
• Justice and human rights
• Education
• Culture and arts
• Economic empowerment

Please send your abstract (maximum 300 words), including a title, together with a brief CV and biography no later than 1 July 2013 to Dr. Behnaz Mirzai at bmirzai@brocku.ca.

All papers presented at the event will be published in a conference proceedings volume.

Sponsors:
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
UNESCO Slave Route Project
Brock University

About Brock University and the Niagara Region:
Located in St Catharines, Brock University is named after British general Sir Isaac Brock, who died at the Battle of Queenston Heights during the War of 1812. It is Canada’s only university to be located in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, atop the Niagara Escarpment. The Garden City is also the gateway to the Niagara Region (http://www.tourismniagara.com/discover-niagara.html), offering an abundance of sights and activities from its award winning vineyards and to the wonders of Niagara Falls. The region has great significance to the history of Underground Railroad movement in that its most important conductor – Harriet Tubman – was a resident of St Catharines from 1851 to 1858.

Send comments and questions to H-Net
Webstaff. H-Net reproduces announcements that have been submitted to us as a
free service to the academic community. If you are interested in an announcement
listed here, please contact the organizers or patrons directly. Though we strive
to provide accurate information, H-Net cannot accept responsibility for the text of
announcements appearing in this service. (Administration)